Umbrella cover construction and tip therefor



April 1952 M. ORNSTEIN ET AL UMBRELLA CQVER CONSTRUCTION AND TIPTHEREFOR Filed Sept. 13, 1946 M 7 am J a 0mm 4 w T p N 1 w z fi mm 1 a wfl w 2 1 5 Wm 5w My 62 0 rm a J1 J 5 A. .i A /3 B //m 4 v 6 Z 9 W E.Mwuaa M w \1 5 5 m w v 1 Patented Apr. 1, 1952 ()FFl-CE UMBRELLA COVERCONSTRUCTION AND TIP THEREFOR Max Ornstein and Matthew Ornstein, NewYork, N. Y.

Application September 13, 1946, Serial No. 696,638

2 Claims.

This invention relates to umbrella covers, the construction thereof andtips therefor.

Known to us is the art of umbrella construction wherein the cover isanchored to the frame by rib tips sewn to it by hand or machinestitching operations, or which involves tying the cover to the tips by athread or the like wrapping device. These tips have more frequently beenapplied with umbrella covers of woven fabric, such as satin, silk or thelike woven umbrella covering materials.

With the advent of water resistant plastic film forming materials andthe availability of such sheeting, attempts have been made to adapt thissheeting material to the umbrella art, and our endeavors to make theseplastic film forming materials or combinations of these foils with clothavailable to the umbrella art by merely substituting the tip attachingprocedure to covers made of these materials have proven to beunsuccessfulr The inadequacy of the plastic foils or highly coatedwaterproofed fabrics to resist stitching operations has led to thecondemnation of this highly desirable material for use in the umbrellafield.

The edging of the covers of plastic foils or highly coated waterproofedfabrics to offset the low tear resisting property of this materialfurther points to the requirement to abandon existing methods ofthreading, stitching or tying of tips to the umbrella covers of thematerials aforementioned.

We have devised, and it is an object of our invention to provide, anumbrella tip which may be effectively afiixed to umbrella covers andmore particularly to umbrella covers made of plastic films or of foilsor highly coated waterproofed fabrics, and which eifectively grips theperipheral edge of the cover to withstand the tension involved instretching the fabric upon the usual umbrella frame when in use.

It is contemplated by our invention, and it is an object thereof toprovide, an umbrella tip which may be quickly and eifectively attachedto the peripheral edge of an umbrella cover and eifect substantialeconomies in labor.

It is contemplated by our invention to provide an umbrella tip which maybe quickly and effectively attached to the umbrella cover, at itsperipheral edge, whether made of plasticized foils or fabrics orcombinations thereof, as distinguished from the laborious practice ofsewing or tying such tips with threads to the umbrella cover.

In its more specific application, it is an object of our invention toprovide an umbrella tip which, when applied to the umbrella cover overthe rib end, has the rib cooperate with the rib tip to more effectivelygrip the peripheral edge of the cover, whereby the tautening of thecover on the umbrella frame serves as an aid to more effectively holdthe fabric, rather than to tear against the anchoring influence of thetips with relation to the cover.

Still more particularly, it is an object of our invention to provide anumbrella construction in which the general polygonal contour of thecover is retained, to cooperate with a multi-rib umbrella frame and toanchor the cover by* rib tips to the rib ends of the umbrella frame,securing the ornamental benefits of a rib tip without the objectionabletearing or perforating effect due to the heretofore deemed necessity foranchoring tips to the umbrella cover.

Still further it is an object of our invention to provide an umbrellacover and rib tips therefor, the tips being formed to permit speedy andeconomical anchoring of the same to the peripheral edges of the cover,making possible the use of usual lfabrics, as well as plastic foils,films, sheeting or highly coated waterproofed fabrics.

To attain these objects and such further ob jects' as may appear hereinor be hereinafter pointed out, we make reference to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an umbrella inaccordance with our invention;

Figure 2 is a magnified section taken on the line 2-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a rib tip in accordance with ourinvention prior to the attachment thereof;

Figure 4 is a section illustrating a preliminary step of applying a ribtip in accordance with our invention; 7

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rib tip in accordancewith another embodiment of our invention.

Making reference to the drawing, we show an umbrella l 0 having theusual frame I I and cover I la, in which the ribs I2 are of the typedesigned to be employed in the umbrella art, intended to have the ribends thereof generally of cylindrical character at the portion [3, tofit within the socket of the now well-established rib tips. Inaccordance with our invention, we provide a rib tip I4, having agenerally cylindrical body 15, formed with a socket it at one end forreceiving the cylindrical end l3 of the ribs I2. In the preferredembodiment of our invention, the body of the rib tip I4 is stamped frommetal to form the socket member just described with a flared flange ll,of generally circular contour which, at one end, has an extension l8merging into an overlying member l9, cooperating with the flange l! todefine a slot 2!], and an overlying jaw for the flange [1.

In the embodiment illustrated, the member I9 I and the extension It maybe covered by a facin cap or head 2| comprising some moldable material,such as Celluloid, hard rubber, synthetic resin plastics, which lendthemselves readily to ornamentation into different shapes and, toprovide different shades or colors. It will be understood, however, thatthe jaw l9 may be integrally formed with the extension l8 and have aperipheral edge 22 generally conforming to the outline of the flange II.The extension I8 is selected, in one embodiment of our invention, toprovide a deformable section while normally maintaining the jaw [9 inspaced relation to the flange IT.

We will now describe the method of attachment of one embodiment of ourinvention. In the illustration shown, we have selected an umbrella coverI la, made of a foil such as Vinylite, a relatively transparent sheetingin general having the appearance of oil-silk, substantially transparent,

with more or less uniform distensibility, and

which is made by polymerizing various forms of vinyl co-polymers. Othercoated waterproof fabrics or the usual umbrella fabrics may also beutilized. It will be understood that foils of requisite toughness suchas Pliofilm, a chlorinated rubber derivative, or cellophane, aplasticized regenerated cellulose, are foils which illustrate thegeneral type of homogeneous sheeting which may be employed.

Our invention is particularly applicable to foils or homogeneous filmsand for this purpose a single or one-piece umbrella cover may be made;cutting the cover into a polygonal shape, the number of sides of thepolygon corresponding to the number of ribs in the umbrella frame.

We may, however, employ an umbrella cover in which generally triangularsections are sewn together, the sections corresponding in number i tothe number of ribs in the umbrella frame, with the sections seamedtogether, to have each seam overlie the umbrella rib, the peripheraledge of the cover adjacent the rib terminating in a point to which a ribtip is attached.

In accordance with our invention employing a foil such as Vinylite, thecompleted cover is edged at its peripheral edge 23 with a piping oredging 24, and sewn thereto by stitches 25. This piping may be ordinaryribbon, bias ribbon, braid, tape or edging, which may be applied by asewing machine having a folder whereby the inwardly directed edges ofthe tape are simultaneously sewn to the edge of the cover, or which maybe attached by any other method.

While we have described the edging as being effected by a sewingoperation, it will be understood that the edging may be accomplished byadhesive.

The edging 2 is applied to follow the polygonal contour of the cover,and when so formed, an apex 26 is inserted in the slot 20 of a tip sothat the finished surface 21 of the cover lies in substantially the sameplane with the upper jaw IQ of the tip. In this position, the extension[8 4 is crimped, deformed, or otherwise shaped, forcibly to direct thejaw it toward the jaw IT, by a blow or hammer action to anchor the tipto the cover, sandwiching therebetween the edging 24.

The periphery of the cover Ha has thereby an-' chored to it the rib tipl4 through the reinforcement provided by the edging 24.

While the flange II and the peripheral edge 22 adequately supply ananchoring engagement upon deformation of the extension l8, it iscontemplated by us to augment this binding action. When the cover isapplied in position over the umbrella frame, the rib ends l2 are fittedin the cylindrical sockets It so that the cylindrical ends l3 projectthrough the socket and engage the edging 24 clamped between the flangel1 and the jaw l9. As the umbrella is put into use, to tension the coverupon the frame, further pressure of the rib end 13 is applied axiallythrough the socket it against the edging 24, gripped between the flangell and the jaw I9;

Exteriorly, the cover at each of the apices 26 is not only ornamented bythe facing cap or head 2i but the facing serves to protect the morefragile cover where it may be abraded in use.

The extension formed by the flange I! as the umbrella is moved to theopen position aids in tensioning the cover fabric over the ribs as wellas to pinch the cover peripherally by means of the edging 24, minimizingany cutting or abrading action.

Where the cover is of the usual woven umbrella fabric, the hereinbeforedescribed tensionin action is nonetheless secured.

cover by the expedient disclosed employing the extension flange ll,serves to give additional tension in using a one-piece foil of theplastic sheet ing heretofore described.

By our invention, rib tips may be quickly attached to the periphery ofan umbrella cover. The umbrella cover may be held conveniently withrelation to the rib tip I4 retained in some crimping or anvil device,where it is then crimped or deformed into cover engaging position. Thespecial needle-aligning accuracy heretofore necessary with rib tipswhich aresewn in position is completely obviated. The assembly of ribtip and cover may thereby be effected with unusual rapidity.

In another embodiment of our invention, as more particularly illustratedin Figure 5, the rib tip I la is formed with a body member I5a, havingat one side thereof a socket Eta. The socket 16a is closed by a flangeiia, forming one jaw. An extension IBa merges into the jaw 19a, formingthe slot 211a. An ornamental facing cap or head 2 la may be applied tothe jaw 19a as in the prior embodiment.

The flanges lid and inner surface 2lb are formed with serrations 28having points 29, angularly directed toward the extension l8a. This formof tip may be attached to the umbrella cover as heretofore described inconnection with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to l, disposingthe deformed section Hid so that the'jaw Isa is brought into coverengaging position, to have the serrations 2t engage the peripheral edgeof the cover. These serrations are optional and mere deformation may beemployed to grip the fabric. Other means may be used to augment thecrimping action without the serrations as will now become apparent.

In this embodiment, the socket its engages the carrying the jaw memberl9 and head or cap 2| [1}] umbrella rib end and rides freely thereon. By

Our invention in connection with a one-piece having a rib tip with alateral slot tea, as do scribed, with the socket thereof freely ridingon the rib end, in use in tensioning the cover upon the umbrella frame,the cover equalizes itself on the frame about the rib tip without anytwisting or distorting force being applied to the rib tip in itsanchoring to the cover.

It is to be understood that by our invention we may employ a one-piececover or fabric cover, either one of which has its periphery reinforcedby selvaging, hemming, or by the use of a binding or tape edging, sewnor cemented to the periphery. The jaw engagement of our tips isparticularly effective with the hemmed or round edging which supplementeach other.

By our construction not only do we eiiect substantial economies in laborbut the utilization of foils i made commercially practical.

Having thus described our invention and illustrated its use, what weclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An umbrella tip having a body, a socket at one end of the body whichis generally cylindrically formed for receiving the umbrella rib-end, aflange forming a first jaw at the other end of the body, an extensionfrom said body having a second jaw overlying the flange and forming withsaid flange a lateral slot, said extension being deiormable for bringingsaid first and second jaws toward each other into engagement over theumbrella cover, and wherein said flange and second jaw are serrated.

2. An umbrella tip having a body, a socket at one end or" the body whichis generally cylindrically formed for receiving the umbrella rib-end,flange forming a first jaw at the other end of the Jody, an extensionfrom said body having a second jaw overlying the flange and forming withsaid flange a iateral slot, said extension being deformable for bringingsaid first and second jaws toward each other into engagement over theumbrella cover, and wherein said extension and second jaw carry a facincap or head normally axially disaligned and becoming aligned upondeformation bringing the jaws into engagement with the umbrella cover.

MAX ORNSTEIN. MATTHEW ORNSTEIN.

REFEREI'JCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Numher Name Date 719,269 Siyder Jan. 27, 19031,579,221 Lumbeck Apr. 6, 1926 2,017,753 Goldman Oct. 15, 1935

